Do You Really Need To Carry A Spare Tyre?
Ellie Dyer-Brown, 9 months ago
5 min read
- Tyres
- Car ownership
Find out whether you need to carry a spare tyre and how to use one safely.
There’s nothing more frustrating than realising you've got a flat tyre after spending time planning your journey. It’s happened to me several times before, and if you’ve been driving for a while, it’s probably happened to you, too.
In 2021, more than a fifth of breakdowns on motorways and major A roads were caused by tyre issues. While the introduction of run flat tyre technology is helping to bring this number down, it is still a major issue for motorists.
So, what to do? You could call your breakdown cover provider, but who knows how long it will take them to assist you? The one saving grace in this situation - especially if you need to reach your destination quickly - is remembering you have a spare. (As long as you know how to change a tyre.)
Read on to find out more about spare tyres, including whether you need to carry one and how to use it safely.
Contents:
Is it illegal to drive without a spare tyre?
Do I need a spare tyre to pass my MOT?
How long can you drive on a spare tyre?
Types of spare tyres
There are two main types of spare tyre, as you can see from the table below. This guide provides more information about what tyres your car needs.
| Tyre type | Description | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-size matching spare | A regular car tyre matching the ones fitted to your vehicle. | Matches the appearance of your other tyres and doesn’t require a trip to the garage once fitted. | Takes up more storage space and is more expensive. |
| Space saving spare | A lightweight, narrow tyre with a shallow tread depth to be used temporarily. | Requires less storage space. | Intended for limited use over a short distance to get you to a garage and impairs the functionality of ABS and traction control. |
Is it illegal to drive without a spare tyre?
Carrying a spare tyre is not a legal requirement, so you don’t need to worry about falling foul of the law if you don’t have one. When you break down with a flat tyre, you’re not expected to have any puncture repair equipment.
However, keeping a spare tyre in your car for emergencies is advisable.
Years ago, many cars came with a spare car tyre matching the other four on the vehicle. Nowadays, they are fitted with a temporary space-saving tyre or don’t come with a spare at all.
Research shows that nine out of ten cars sold in the UK no longer have a spare tyre.
Learn how to change a car tyre here.
Can spare tyres be illegal?
Just like regular car tyres, space-saving spare tyres can become damaged and worn to the point where they are illegal. That’s why it’s essential to check your tyres regularly, including your spare, to make sure they fall within the legal tread depth of 1.6mm.
Driving on an illegal tyre, whether spare or not, could result in a fine of up to £2,500.
Read our ultimate car tyres guide for more advice on tyre maintenance.
Do I need a spare tyre to pass my MOT?
You don’t need a spare tyre to pass your MOT because carrying a spare isn’t a legal requirement; it will not be checked during the test. On the other hand, if you take your car for its MOT when it is fitted with a space-saver spare wheel, it will automatically fail.
Your regular tyres are assessed in four main areas:
Security
Condition
Tread depth
Suitability
Check out this guide to find out what else is checked during your MOT, or read about the most common reasons for failure (and how to avoid them) here.
How long can you drive on a spare tyre?
Space-saving spare tyres are thinner than regular car tyres and are not designed for the same level of road use. There is no concrete rule about how far you can drive on one, but it’s best not to exceed 50 miles at a maximum speed of 50 miles per hour.
Head to a garage as soon as possible to have a proper car tyre fitted.
Can you drive on the motorway with a spare tyre?
You mustn’t exceed 50 mph while your car is fitted with a space-saving tyre, so avoid motorways and dual carriageways, where traffic travels faster. It isn’t illegal to drive on a motorway with a spare tyre, but it is dangerous.
Book a tyre replacement
Booking a tyre replacement has never been easier. Simply select the tyres you want, choose a fitter in your local area and enjoy your brand new tyres.
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Written by Ellie
Ellie is FixMyCar's Content Writer. She has over three years of experience writing about cars and regularly collaborates with automotive experts to provide trustworthy advice for drivers in a language they understand. Her work has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, iNews, The Daily Express and The Sun. She has a BA in English literature and an MA in creative writing from Durham University. Outside of work, Ellie follows F1 and eagerly awaits Ferrari's next era of dominance in the sport. She drives a Suzuki Swift.